Can built form influence social problems?

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CAN BUILT FORM INFLUENCE SOCIAL PROBLEMS?

The concept of social problems is linked to a wide spectrum of contrasting definitions. Jerome G Monis defines it as "these social conditions identified by scientific enquiry and values as detrimental to human well-being". On the other hand Malcom Spector and Jon I Kitsuse defined them as "the activities of individuals or groups making assertion of grievance and claims with respect to some putative conditions". (http://syg2010-01.fa04.fsu.edu/Week_1.htm)

Taking into consideration the different approaches to this debate the point that the main reason for people's behaviour is physical form can be argued. Urban form can be seen as one of the reason for social behaviour but to deny the influence of social, economical and political factors is to simplify the complexity of society and the different relationships within it. In any case both arguments will always be episodes in the long saga of traditional controversy.

Social problems have been divided into 3 groups by Kenneth C Land (www.soc.duke.edu): Deviant behaviour, including drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, crime and violence. Social inequality and conflict including aging, the ederly, racial and ethnics relations, the sexes and gender inequality, poverty and economic inequality and homelessness.